Cargo handling apparatus



Nov. 21, 1967 Filed July 11, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 21, 1967 J. F. SYKES ETAL 3,353,685

CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1966 Nov. 21, 1967 J. F. SYKES ETAL 3353,65

CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS Filed July 11, 1966 4 Sheets$heet 3 r 1/ 1 I I63? i g: I l

Nov. 21, 1967 Filed July 11, 1966 J. F. SYKES ETAL. v 3353,65

CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. I

United States Patent 3,353,685 CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS James F. Sykes, Hampton, and David E. Phillips, Newport News, Va., assignors to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., a corporation of Virginia Filed July 11, 1966, Ser. No. 564,385 9 Claims. (Cl. 2123) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cargo boom is mounted for universal movement about its heel portion and a cargo fall support means is mounted for rotation at the head portion of the boom. A pair of hoisting leads extend through a pair of fairlead blocks which are pivotally connected with a support structure swingably mounted at one side of the heel portion of the boom to keep the hoisting leads from becoming fouled when the boom swings through between the associated mast structure.

The present invention relates to new and novel cargo handling apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus of the type wherein a boom swings through between a pair of spaced kingposts for operation with more than one hatch.

The present invention represents an improvement over the structure shown in US. Patent No. 3,110,403. The structure of such patent and of the present invention relates especially to heavy lift gear which may be employed with a hatch forward of the boom step as well as another hatch aft of the boom step. In this type of arrangement, the heel of the boom is mounted for substantially universal movement, and a topping lift attachment means is rigidly secured to the head portion of the boom, this attachment means being swivelly connected to a topping lift which is in turn connected with topping lift blocks supported at the upper ends of the kingposts of the mast structure. This arrangement permits the boom to be swung fore and aft through a plane extending through the longitudinal axes of the kingposts.

In the arrangement shown in the patent, a single hoisting lead is employed, this hoisting lead extending down alongside of the boom and passing through a fairlead block to a winch. The utilization of a single hoisting lead places certain limitations on the apparatus, and it is a special feature of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of a single hoisting lead.

The present invention is especially designed to provide a pair of hoisting leads which permit greater speed of operation when desired, and also enable the utilization of smaller winches resulting in a lower initial cost and also presenting the advantage of providing a reserve winch in case one winch should be disabled.

It was discovered that when employing two hoisting leads with the cargo handling apparatus of the type shown in the aforementioned US. patent, two fixed fairlead blocks would not operate properly since the hoisting leads would not clear the boom and each other and would tend to become twisted during swinging of the boom into its various operative positions at either side of the kingposts.

Accordingly, the improvement of the present invention was developed wherein a hoisting lead guide means is provided adjacent to the heel portion of the boom, this hoisting lead guide means being movable into various positions so as to effectively enable the hoisting leads to clear the boom and one another and to prevent twisting of the leads regardless of the operative position of the boom.

3,353fi Patented Nov. 21, 1967 The hoisting lead guide means of the present invention includes a support structure which is swingably mounted about a pivot axis adjacent the heel portion of the boom, this support structure including a pair of spaced fairlead block supports which are movably supported on the support structure and which have connected therewith a pair of fairlead blocks which receive and guide the hoisting leads. These fairlead block supports are in predetermined spaced relationships to one another so as to provide the aforementioned desired end results. This hoisting lead guide means automatically ensures that the hoisting leads will be properly guided while the boom is swung into any particular desired operative position.

An object of the present invention is to provide cargo handling apparatus including a boom structure which is adapted to be swung through between a pair of kingposts so as to operate with a hatch both forward and aft of the boom step.

Another object of the invention is the provision of cargo handling apparatus including an arrangement which permits a greater speed of operation than the prior art structure and which employs smaller winches resulting in lower cost and an arrangement wherein a reserve hoisting winch is available if one hoisting winch should become disabled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide cargo handling apparatus including hoisting lead guide means to automatically prevent fouling of the hoisting leads and to enable the leads to clear the boom and one another and not become twisted in various operative positions of the boom.

A further object of the invention is the provision of cargo handling apparatus including hoisting lead guide means which is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which at the same time is sturdy and reliable in use.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of a deck of a ship or the like employing the cargo handling apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view on an enlarged scale illustrating the hoisting lead guide means of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the hoisting lead guide means;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the boom and associated hoisting lead guide means illustrating a first operative position thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating a second operative position of the structure; and

FIG. 10 is still another View similar to FIG. 8 illustrating a further operative position of the structure.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2., a portion of a cargo ship is indicated generally by reference numeral 10, the upper deck of the ship having the usual bulwarks 12 extending fore and aft at the sides of the deck, a forward hold having three hatch covers 14, 16 and 18 disposed thereover, and an aft hold having three hatch covers 20, 22 and 24 disposed thereover.

The winch house 28 is disposed between the fore and aft hatches and serves to support the heavy lift gear mechanism hereinafter described.

It should be understood that the usual ships gear for loading and discharging cargo would also be mounted on and adjacent to the winch house, but the conventional gear has been eliminated from the drawings for the sake of simplicity in order that the heavy lift boom mechanism and the associated hoisting lead guide means may be more clearly understood.

A pair of kingposts 30 and 32 extend upwardly from the winch house 28, the kingposts being spaced apart athwartships and flaring outwardly in an upward direction as seen in FIG. 2. These kingposts are of a symmetrical tapered configuration as is conventional in the art.

A pair of laterally inwardly projecting lead block brackets 34 and 36 are respectively fixed adjacent the upper ends of kingposts 3d and 32 respectively. Single topping lift lead blocks 38 and 40 are movably supported by brackets 34 and 36 respectively.

A pair of swivel members 42 and 44 are rotatably supported on upwardly extending journalled portions provided at the top of kingposts 30 and 32 respectively, the kingposts including cap plate members 4-6 and 43 respectively which extend in overlying relationship to the journalled portions for retaining the swivel members in operative position as shown. A pair of multiple sheave topping lift kingpost blocks 50 and 52 are provided, these blocks each including a pair of spaced integral ears and 52 respectively, these cars being pivotally supported by the outwardly projecting end portions of swivel members 42 and 44 respectively, whereby these blocks are pivotally supported by the respective swivel members which are in turn rotatably supported at the upper ends of the kingposts.

A heavy lift boom 60 is provided, this boom being pro vided with a lower or heel portion indicated generally by reference numeral 62, and an upper or head portion indicated generally by reference numeral 64. The boom is mounted such that the lower or heel portion thereof is substantially universally mounted in the same manner as described and illustrated in the aforementioned U.S. patent. The boom is mounted upon a boom pedestal 66 mounted on the upper portion of winch house 28. The boom pedestal is disposed at a central portion of the winch house and the boom is mounted for universal movement substantially on a center line extending between the kingposts.

The head portion 64 of the boom includes a collar 70, a cargo fall support means or sleeve 72 resting on this collar and having a bore therethrough adapted to snugly receive a reduced upper end portion of the boom whereby the support means is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the boom. The cargo fall support means 72 is provided with a pair of spaced cars 74 which serve to pivotally support the upper purchase block indicated generally by reference numeral 76. The cargo fall support means arrangement is similar to that of the previously described patent.

A topping lift attachment means is indicated generally by reference numeral 83 and comprises a tubular body portion 82 which has a bore formed therein which snugly receives the outermost part of the reduced end portion of the boom, the topping lift attachment means being suitably secured in operative position as by welding or the like. Means 80 includes a spanning plate 84 having pair of angularly spaced ears 86 and 88 at the opposite ends thereof, these cars being provided with suitable openings therethrough. It will be noted that the cargo fall support means 72 is fixed against axial movement longitudinally of the boom by collar 70 and topping lift attachment means 80, but is free to rotate with respect to the boom about the longitudinal axis thereof.

The topping lift attachment means is similar to that of the previously described US. patent application. A

multiple sheave topping lift boom head block 90 is connected by means of a chain 92 to the ear 88 of means 80, and a similar multiple sheave topping lift boom head block 94 is connected by means of chain 96 to the ear 86 of means 30. It is apparent that the chains 92 and 96 serve to swivelly connect the associated blocks 90 and 94 respectively to the associated ears of the topping lift attachment means.

A topping lift cable 1% is reeved through the topping lift blocks 59, 90 and 38 and passes downwardly and is connected to a topping winch 132. A topping lift cable 104 is reeved through topping lift blocks 52, 94 and 40 to a second topping winch 1%. It is apparent that the topping lifts are attached to the tops of the kingposts in such a manner that a wide range of operation is provided for the boom from forward-and-outboard through any inboard angle to aft-and-outboard as required. In operation, either fore or aft of the kingposts, the boom is handled just like a conventional split topping rig, the boom being illustrated in the drawings as disposed over a forward hatch.

The boom is swung forward and aft through a plane passing through the kingposts for operation at either a forward or aft hatch in the same manner as in the aforementioned U.S. patent by employing the topping lift means in conjunction with a pendant or the like which may be secured to the cargo hook hereinafter described to swing the cargo hook and rotating the cargo fall support means as desired.

A lower purchase block has a conventional cargo hook 112 supported therefrom, and a cargo fall cable 114 is reeved through the upper and lower purchase blocks and includes a pair of downwardly extending hoisting leads 116 and 118.

A hoisting lead guide means is indicated generally by reference numeral 120 and is swingably mounted adjacent the heel portion of the boom, the structure and mode of mounting of the hoisting lead guide means being described in more detail hereinafter. This hoisting lead guide means supports a pair of fairlead blocks 122 and 124 which receive the hoisting leads 116 and 118 respectively.

A pair of fairlead blocks 126 and 12-8 are swivelly connected with kingpost 32 and receive the hoisting leads 116 and 118 respectively. Additional fairlead blocks 130 and 132 are secured to the upper surface of the winch house 28 and receive the hoisting leads 116 and 118 respectively. The hoisting leads extend from the latter fairlead blocks to hoisting winches 134 and 136 respectively.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3-7 of the drawings, the details of construction of the hoisting lead guide means and its associated support are illustrated. A first mounting bracket 1% is secured to the boom pedestal 66 as by welding or the like and includes two spaced portions 142 and 144 having aligned holes formed therethrough, and a second mounting bracket 146 has similar spaced portions 148 and 150 having holes formed therethrough. Each of these support brackets are rigidly fixed in position as by welding to the outer surface of the boom pedestal.

The support structure of the hoisting lead guide means includes a first arm portion indicated generally by reference numeral 154, this arm portion including a central vertically extending web 156 having flanges 158 and 160 along the upper and lower edges thereof and including a flange 162 at the inner edge thereof. A tubular portion 164 is supported at the outer ends of members 156, 158 and 160.

A second arm portion indicated generally by reference numeral 168 includes a central vertically extending web portion 170 having flange portions 172 at the upper edge thereof and 174 at the lower edge thereof, a further flange portion 176 being formed at the inner edge thereof. A tubular portion 178 is rigidly aflixed to the outer ends of members 170, 172 and 174.

The inner edges of members 156, 158 and 162 as well as members 170, 172 and 176 are each rigidly affixed as by welding to a tubular member 180. This tubular member is mounted adjacent the upper portion of the support structure. Similarly, at the lower portion of the support structure, the inner edges of members 156, 160 and 162 as well as members 170, 174 and 176 are all rigidly afiixed to a second tubular member 182 spaced below tubular member 180. The two tubular members 180 and 182 have bores formed therethrough aligned with one another.

As seen particularly in FIG. 6, a first pin member 184 is provided with an enlarged head 186, this pin member extending through aligned holes provided in portions 142 and 144 of the upper bracket member 140 and a bore formed centrally through tubular member 180. A nut 188 is threaded on the lower threaded end of pin member 184 for retaining the components in the operative position shown. A similar pin member 190 is provided with an enlarged head 192, pin member 190 extending through aligned holes provided in the portions 148 and 150 of the lower bracket 146 as well as an aligned bore provided through tubular member 182. A nut 194 is threaded on the lower threaded end of pin 190 for retaining it in the operative position illustrated. A first pair of washers 196 are associated with opposite ends of tubular member 180 for supporting it for free rotation in the upper bracket member 140, and a second pair of Washers 198 are associated with the opposite ends of tubular member 180 for rotatably supporting the structure in the lower bracket 146. It will of course be understood that the pins 184 and 190 have a relatively snug fit with tubular members 180 and 182 respectively, yet permit free rotation thereof.

It should be noted that the support brackets and the pins are so rotated that the entire support structure 120 is mounted adjacent the heel portion of the boom and about a pivot axis passing through pins 184 and 190 which is substantially on a center line passing between the kingposts.

A third arm portion indicated generally by reference numeral 200 includes a central vertically extending web 202 having a flange 204 along the upper edge thereof and a flange 206 along the lower edge thereof. The opposite ends of the central web 202 are rigidly attached to tubular members 164 and 180 as by welding or the like. The op- ,posite ends of the upper flange 204 are rigidly attached to the same tubular members as well as to the upper flanges formed on the other arm portions. In a similar manner, the lower flange 206 is rigidly aflixed at the opposite ends thereof to the two tubular members as well as to the lower flange portions of the two other arms 154 and 168.

It is apparent that the support structure described hereinabove provides a very sturdy reinforced arrangement. The entire support structure is swingably mounted about two vertically spaced pins, the purpose of this support structure being to movably mount the fairlead block supports hereinafter described.

A first fairlead block support as seen in FIG. 6 is indicated generally by reference numeral 210, this support including a pair of spaced ears 212 each of which has a hole 214 formed therethrough. The support includes a shank portion 216 having a nut threaded on the lower threaded end thereof for retaining the support in operative position. The shank portion 216 is rotatably supported within a bushing 220 mounted within a bore formed within portion 164. Washers 222 and 224 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the portion 164, and it is apparent that support 210 is mounted for free rotation about an axis passing through the central portion of the support.

In a similar manner, a substantially identical fairlead block support 230 is freely rotatably supported within suitable bearing means provided in the tubular portion 178. This latter support 230 includes a pair of spaced ears 232 having suitable holes formed therethrough. A

nut 234 is threaded on the lower threaded end of support 230 for retaining it in operative position. As seen in FIG. 5, support 230 includes a shank portion 236 rotatably supported within a bushing 238 mounted within a bore formed within portion 178.

The aforementioned fairlead block 122 is pivotally connected with the ears 232 of support 230, and the aforementioned fairlead block 124 is pivotally connected with the ears 212 of support 210.

The two fairlead block supports 210 and 230 are positioned in a particular location with respect to the axis about which the hoisting lead guide means 120 is swingably supported. The support 210 is spaced a greater distance from the pivot axis of the guide means 120 than is the support 230. The ratio of these distances may be approximately 4:3. In a typical example, the pivot axis of support 210 may be spaced approximately 27 inches from the pivot axis extending through pins 184 and 190, while the pivot axis of support 230 may be spaced approximately 21 inches from the pivot axis passing through pins 184 and 190.

It should also be noted as seen particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5 that the pivot axes of the two supports define with the pivot axis of the support structure passing through pins 184 and 190 an angle of approximately degrees. That is to say, if a first line were drawn through the pivot axis of support 210 and the pivot axis passing through pins 184 and 190, and a second line were to be drawn through the pivot axis of support 230 and the pivot axis passing through pins 184 and 190, these two lines would define an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

The aforementioned relationship of the position of the two fairlead block supports is important to ensure that the hoisting leads will clear the boom and each other and will not be twisted throughout the various range of operative positions of the boom both fore and aft of the kingposts.

As seen particularly in FIG. 4, it will also be noted that the support 230 is disposed vertically below the support 210. This interrelationship of the fairlead block supports is necessary when the fairlead blocks 126 and 128 are mounted fairly high on the kingpost 32. When the fairlead blocks 126 and 128 are mounted relatively low on kingpost 32, it may not be necessary to provide the vertical displacement of the fairlead block supports. On the other hand, in many instances it is desirable to mount the fairlead blocks 126 and 128 fairly high on kingpost 32 so as to enable the hoisting leads to be properly guided to hoisting winches at various other locations.

As seen particularly in FIG. 3, first limit stop means includes a bracket 240 rigidly secured as by welding to the boom pedestal 66, bracket 240 having an arcuate stop member 242 fixed to the outer end thereof. A similar limit stop means includes a bracket 244 rigidly affixed to the boom pedestal and having an arcuate stop member 246 fixed to the outer end thereof.

Considering now FIG. 8 of the drawings, only those components have been shown which serve to illustrate the mode of operation of the apparatus of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 8, the boom 60 has been moved to a forward outboard position wherein the boom may extend to the port side of the ship. In this position of the boom, the hoisting lead guide means has been moved into such a position that the tubular portion thereof is in engagement with the stop member 242 so that the hoisting lead guide means is at one of its limit stop positions. In this position, the hoisting leads 116 and 118 if viewed directly from the top would be seen to cross one another, yet when seen slightly from the front as in this View there is obviously a vertical clearance therebetween so that the leads do not become fouled with one another.

Turning now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, another operative position is illustrated wherein the boom is positioned forward and to the starboard side of the ship. In this position, the hoisting lead guide means 120 is moved into an intermediate position wherein it is not in engagement with either of the limit stop means, and hoisting leads 116 and 118 are generally parallel with one another.

Turning now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, still another operative position is illustrated wherein the boom has been moved to the aft side of the kingposts and to the port side of the ship. In this position of the boom, the hoisting lead guide means 120 has been moved to its opposite limit stop position wherein the tubular portion 164 is in engagement with the stop member 246. This operative position is illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Here again, as in FIG. 8, if the hoisting leads were viewed from above, they would appear to cross over one another, yet there is adequate vertical clearance between the hoisting leads so that they do not foul one another in this limit position.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according to the present invention new and novel car-g0 handling apparatus, and more particularly cargo handling apparatus of the heavy lift gear type wherein a boom swings through between the kingposts for operation with a hatch either forward or aft of the kingposts. The pair of hoisting leads enables the handling apparatus to be operated at a greater speed than is possible with a single hoisting lead; and furthermore smaller winches may be employed resulting in an initial saving in cost. Since two hoisting winches are provided, a reserve winch is available at all times in case one of the hoisting winches should be disabled. The swingably mounted hoisting lead guide means along with the fairlead blocks supported thereby automatically prevents fouling of the two hoisting leads and enables the leads to clear the boom and each other without twisting in all of the various operative positions of the boom. The cargo handling apparatus of the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet at the same time is quite sturdy and reliable in use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

We claim:

1. Cargo handling apparatus comprising a mast structure, a boom having a heel portion and a head portion, means mounting the heel portion of the boom for movement, means for moving the boom, cargo fall support means mounted at the head portion of said boom, said cargo fall support means being movably mounted with respect to said head portion, car-go fall means supported by said cargo fall support means, said cargo fall means including a pair of hoisting leads, and hoisting lead guide 8 means for receiving and guiding said pair .of hoisting leads, said hoisting lead guide means including a support structure swi-ngably mounted adjacent the heel portion of the boom, a pair of fairlead blocks mova-bly connected with said support structure, a pair of spaced fairle'ad block supports movably mounted on said support structure, said fairlead blocks being pivotally connected with said fairlead block supports, said hoisting lead guide means being disposed on only one side of the heel por tion of the boom.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fairlead block supports are each rotatably mounted on said support structure.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fairlead block supports are positioned at different distances from the point about which the support structure is swingably mounted.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fairlead block supports are positioned from said point at distances having a ratio of substantially 4:3.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said 'fairlead block supports is disposed vertically below the other of said fairlead block supports.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mast structure includes a pair of spaced kingposts, said support structure being mounted for swinging movement about a pivot axis disposed at one side of the heel portion of the boom and substantially on a center line between said kingposts, a pair of spaced fairlead block supports each of which is rotatably mounted on said support structure, said fairlead blocks each being pivotally connected with one of said fairlead block supports, said fairlead block supports being disposed at different distances from said pivot axis and defining with said pivot axis an angle of substantially 90 degrees.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said distances of the "fair-lead block supports from said pivot axis are in a ratio of approximately 4: 3.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein .one 01: said -fairlead block supports is disposed vertically below the other of said fairlead block supports.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including limit stop means to limit swinging movement of said support structure in opposite directions, said limit stop means engag mg the support structure at its opposite limits of move- Igient and being fixed adjacent the heel portion of the oom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,079,006 2/1963 Eckardt 2123 3,245,549 4/1966 Trevisan 212-3 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,292,570 6/ 1961 France.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner,

H. C. HORNSBY, Examiner, 

1. CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS COMPRISING A MAST STRUCTURE, A BOOM HAVING A HEEL PORTION AND A HEAD PORTION, MEANS MOUNTING THE HEEL PORTION OF THE BOOM FOR MOVMENT, MEANS FOR MOVING THE BOOM, CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED AT THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID BOOM, SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID HEAD PORTION, CARGO FALL MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS, SAID CARGO FALL MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF HOISTING LEADS, AND HOISTING LEAD GUIDE MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND GUIDING SAID HOISTING LEAD GUIDE LEADS, SAID HOISTING LEAD GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A SUPPORT STRUCTURE SWINGABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE HEEL PORTION OF THE BOOM, A PAIR OF FAIRLEAD BLOCKS MOVABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE, A PAIR OF SPACED FAIRLEAD BLOCK SUPPORTS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE, SAID FAIRLEAD BLOCKS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH SAID FAIRLEAD BLOCK SUPPORTS, SAID HOUSING LEAD GUIDE MEANS BEING DISPOSED ON ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HEEL PORTION OF THE BOOM. 